Despite a global ban on the ivory trade, poaching continues to devastate elephant populations. A 2016 African elephant database study found that elephant numbers had decreased by 90,000 in just three years.
The problem is that the mammoth ivory approved for sale is very similar to ivory, especially when carved or processed. Current identification methods are expensive, time-consuming, and often destructive to the sample.
Raman spectroscopy, a new laser technique, offers a fast and non-destructive solution. This technology detects subtle biochemical differences by beaming a powerful laser onto a sample of ivory and locates the source within minutes.
Rebecca Shepherd, one of the project researchers, explains that the method is easier to use than existing methods. Raman spectroscopy could be a powerful deterrent to poachers, allowing greater surveillance and control of ivory passing through customs around the world.
Source: Ferra
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